reservations and booking

You can book a trip online by clicking on the excursion type you'd like, using the "BOOK NOW" button in the menu bar, or you can give us a call at 360-376-5989. Talk to you soon!

Technical difficulties happen sometimes! Go ahead and give us a call at 360-376-5989 to confirm your booking was placed correctly.

As a friendly reminder, if you need to reschedule a tour or cruise Deer Harbor Charters charges a $15 rebooking fee. 24 hours cancellation policy for public tours. 120 hours (five days) cancellation policy for private charters.

If you need to cancel within 24 hours (five days for private charters), we will try to fill your seats to ensure you receive a full refund. If we can not fill your seats, no refund will be issued.

PLEASE NOTE
Customers will receive a full refund or credit in case of operator cancellation due to weather/unforeseen circumstances. Deer Harbor Charters reserves the right to substitute boats, departure locations and departure times.

Please feel free to contact us if you have any questions or if you would like any additional information. Email info@deerharborcharters.com or 360-376-5989

Yes! We offer a $5 professional discount for military, teachers, police officers, professors, EMS, Firerfighters & and other EMS providers. Use discount code adult5 under the adult tickets for the discounted individual. Please make sure to bring ID showing your professional status upon checking.

We also offer senior tickets which are pre-discounted from adult tickets to make things easy.

In addition, we may offer spontaneous discounts online or on socia media. Be sure to visit us online or follow us on Facebook (deerharborcharters) or Instagram (orcaswhalewatch)$

Info and Preparations for your adventure

The prime season for whale watching around Orcas Island and the San Juan Island's archipelago is June - September. Most of the migratory whale species (humpback, minke & gray whales) return to our sheltered waters to feed around April- May. Orca whales frequent our waters and are a non-migratory species of dolphin (thats right, orca are not really whales!). Two genetically distinct and seemingly similar types (eco-types) of orca live, hunt and socialize around our region YEAR ROUND. However, having a reliable "whale sightings" and calm weather during our offseason (November through March) can be hit and miss. 

 All companies engaged in "Whale Watching" in the region work a sightings collection network together. We communicate whale sightings, whale directions, group composition, unique whale identification and much more. This data is collected in real time and accessible only to Pacific Whale Watch Association (PWWA) member companies. In addition, we collectively hold drivers meetings and implement best practice policies yearly. This is what makes whale watching in the Pacific Northwest the best in the world! 

We recommend bringing...

Warm Jacket (rain or windproof)
Long Pants
Close Toe Shoes
Hat
Sunscreen
Sunglasses
Camera
Snacks & Water

Please bring additional clothing items for our spring and fall tours - gloves, a warm hat and warm waterproof/rainproof jacket (these items are highly recommend). It is not uncommon for the temperature to drop 10 +/- degrees on the water.

We do have blankets and binoculars onboard for your use. We also have a limited snack bar including chips, candy bars or bottled water for $1.00. Please bring a water bottle if you have one. No smoking or vaping onboard.

If someone in your group has special needs, require assistance walking to the boat or has any type of restricted mobility, please arrive early and let your naturalist know at our marina office during check-in. The naturalist will allow early boarding to make sure you or your group member is comfortable.

We are taking COVID-19 precautions to ensure your safety as well as ours during this difficult time. All trips are running at 50% capacity, all binoculars and blankets are sanitized and left for 24 hours before use. We practice social distancing on the boat, and we offer hand sanitizer everywhere along the way!

Public Whale & Wildlife Tours are generally 3-4 hours. Guests can feel free to bring snacks, lunch and non-alcoholic drinks onboard.  Each vessel has blankets, binoculars, a restroom and a highly educated marine naturalist onboard. For groups traveling with small children, we generally recommend booking a 2 hour (limited range) whale watching tour. If you have mobility issues please give us a call before making a reservation. Temperatures while cruise close to the water are generally 10-15 degrees cooler then on land. Please dress in layers with close toed shoes and long pants.